felting without a machine...

emrldtrtle wrote

on May 30, 2008 4:58 PM

Hey all, I'm a fairly new knitter and I would like to try felting. The only problem is I don't have access to a washing machine other than those at the laundry-mat. Is there another way to do this technique?

KrudeKnitter wrote

on May 30, 2008 6:15 PM

Oh there totally is!! I don't use the machine if I don't have too.  Less control!  What I do is fill up my sink with warm water and laundry detergent...the detergent being the very important part!  Then I simply mush it around a lot until it is the desired felting.  I just did this with a bag and found that when I turned the item inside out and rubbed the garment together fiercely...shrank great!

I read once you can boil it.  This didn't work for me (possibly because I forgot the soap) but also then my house smelled like wet sheep.  Not pretty for your family members!!

Oh, I also like this method better because the machine spins it too dry and then it doesn't shape as well as I like. Oh and blocking is the most important thing you can do with felting.  It can make a completely different garment.  The nice thing about felting is it is like molding a clay or something.  Hope this info helps!!!

Kairi wrote

on May 30, 2008 8:00 PM

 I made a pair of slippers that way this winter, and it took a LONG time, but they came out really nice when I was done. I dont think they shrink as much-I couldn't get them past about a size 9 and they were for my mom, who wears a size 7, and i went right by the pattern.  Just keep rinsing and squeezing, then block the heck out of it. Good luck!!

KatherineT wrote

on May 30, 2008 9:13 PM

 I've felted in a gallon size zip lock bag.  I soaked my project in hot water in the sink first.  Then transferred it to the zip lock bag with the needed soap and a little more hot water.  I also squeezed all the air out of the bag.  You can roll/mush the bag with your hands/under your feet.  I know a plastic bag provides little friction, but your project will rub against itself and felt.  It takes some time, but one advantage is you can see it as it felts.  If you peek through the suds you can judge the size of your project and tell if it's the size you want.  It works, I've got a purse to prove it!

katie

Terry Morris wrote

on Jun 2, 2008 10:20 PM

Wow Katie! That is a great idea! I'm finishing up knitting a little felted project and don't always have access to a machine. Your ziplock bag idea sounds like the perfect solution. One time I tried to do it by hand - literally - with my hands and ended up with blisters!

Thanks for sharing,

Terry

Nila wrote

on Jun 3, 2008 4:34 AM

 I"ve also felted really large pieces (e.g. playmat, blanket, rug) by laying out a garbage bag or tarp, then putting a bamboo beach mat on top of that (I've also done this with bubble wrap instead of the beach mat).  I put the item to be felted on top of the beach mat and then wet everything down and put Sunlight soap on top.  I roll it all up and then have the kids roll it around, stomp on it, etc.  You can just keep unrolling it to see how the felting is coming along. This technique can also work with unspun fleece. 

The machine is quick and easy, but all of that wool lint can be hard on your machine.

Good luck with the felting!

MandyH wrote

on Jun 4, 2008 10:37 AM

 Thanks everyone. You have answered a lot of my questions about felting knitted items. I was intrigued by the idea of using a ziplock bag. I live in the UK and have a front-loading washing machine. I have heard that these are not ideal when felting knitted items - well, the wash cycle just cannot be interrupted........... These ideas really make the whole idea much more possible for me . Thanks so much!

Mandy:)

emrldtrtle wrote

on Jun 10, 2008 8:24 AM

Wow, thanks to everyone who replied. Now all I need is a project to felt.

AmyCM wrote

on Jun 10, 2008 11:28 AM

Felting by hand is great because you do have more control over the finished product. It does take longer, but if you use something like a bamboo matt (I've found them at kitchen stores--either as placemats or for making sushi), a washing board, or a plastic bag to help create friction, it does speed up the process. The soap assists the fibers as they intermesh and become permanently interlocked--you'll want to be careful, though, and use a soap that is wool safe. Many detergents on the market will damage wool fibers. If you don't have woolwash, try Dawn Dishwashing soap--it is gentle and effective. You don't need a whole lot--just a little squirt, otherwise, you'll spend all your time rinsing out the suds.

ZassZ wrote

on Jul 2, 2008 6:54 PM

emrdlrtle,  

Fulling is a process that will make woolen knits dense and actually wind-proof.  Very useful in cold climates.  Fulling is referred to as Felting because what you end up with is a felt-like fabric.  One can make 'felt' from carded wool.  But the treatment described below on a knitted fabric is 'fulling'.

What actually happen is this:  When you immerse 100% wool in very hot water, the fibers tangle together when agitated.  So the temperature of the water is changed from hot to cold to stop the process.  Similar thing happens when you cook vegetables and then you stop the cooking process (once they reach your desired doneness) by shocking the vegetables by immersing them in bowl of ice water.  You may have to repeat several times til your article reaches the desired size and is fuzzy but don't let it get damaged looking.    So if you use the machine set it to a hot wash/cold rinse and use a gentle liquid soap or you can use detergent and baking soda.   

The sink or a basin can be used instead of the automatic wash.  Just hot water, soap, agitate, shock with cold water.  While it is still wet you can mold the shape to some degree. 

The scales on the wool fiber tangle.  You can mix polyamid yarn with 100% wool in your pattern for example if you want a fringe effect to stick out of the fulled wool.  The poly won't shrink but the wool will thus the effect. 

Love to hear it when people say I am a new knitter. 

cindyann01 wrote

on Sep 8, 2010 7:00 AM

Wow!

I'd skipped so many felting patterns cos i wasn't sure how to go about felting without a machine.

This thread has really helped me too.

Thanks everyone!!!!!!